Proposals: What's your story?

A proposal is a life-changing event, and here at New Zealand Weddings we love hearing about the different ways you became engaged.

Story by Photo Dillon Photography

A proposal is a life-changing event, and here at New Zealand Weddings we love hearing about the different ways you became engaged.

Three years ago we ran a ‘perfect proposal’ competition, and we received so many amazing entries that we struggled to choose a winner. This year we are running the competition again, and have a luxury prize package worth $4000 to give away! This includes stunning jewellery, wine and accommodation in a luxury hotel. It doesn’t matter if your proposal happened yesterday or 40 years ago – find your entry form in the latest issue of our magazine, and along with a photo, tell us your story in 400 words or less.

Here is the story that we couldn't stop smiling about that won in 2010 from Auckland couple Sian Faulkner and Carl Williams. Carl pulled out all the stops with a thoughtful, romantic, adrenaline-pumping deep-sea proposal, and here Sian describes the experience that changed her life forever.

Carl and I are keen divers and I’d dreamt of visiting the Poor Knights since I was 14, so we organised a dive trip with a group of friends. Our skipper transported us to the dive spot, and we slowly descended into the tranquil beauty that lay beneath the boat.
About 10 minutes into our dive, Carl took my hand and led me to a cave that had light streaming in through the waving kelp. He unzipped his pocket and took out a plastic bag. Inside was a sheet of plastic on which he’d written beautiful words declaring his love for me. I was breathless and stated to cry – tricky to deal with when you’re wearing a dive mask! He’d drawn two tick boxes, yes and no, and I had to point to my choice, which was yes, of course! He then presented me with a plastic ring and we kissed – also hard to do while underwater! It was the most amazing feeling I’ve ever had in my life. After hugs from our friends who were floating outside the cave we continued our dive until our air ran out; I think most of mine was sucked up through sheer excitement.
Back on board Carl took me downstairs and proposed again – this time with a diamond ring. I was blown away all over again, but this time I was able to give him a proper kiss.